London: David Beckham, one of Britain’s most famous footballers, was knighted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle on Tuesday in recognition of his contributions to sport and charity over the decades.

According to Thai News Agency, the 50-year-old former England captain was presented with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) at the royal residence more than 20 years ago for his contributions to football. Beckham will receive the title of “Sir” from King Charles III at Windsor Castle on November 3, 2025.

Beckham, a lifelong admirer of the royal family, wore a suit designed by his wife, Victoria Beckham, a fashion designer and former member of the pop group Spice Girls. After the ceremony, Beckham said he was moved to tears when he learned he had been knighted.

Beckham was born in East London and made his Premier League debut for Manchester United in 1995. Two years after joining as a trainee, he won six league titles, two FA Cups and the UEFA Champions League with the club before moving on to Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. He retired from football in 2013, having won 115 caps for England.

Beckham is known for his free-kick skills and accurate crossing, and has also become one of the most successful sportsmen and businessmen of his generation. He is currently co-owner and chairman of Inter Miami in Major League Soccer in the US, and co-owner of Salford City in England.

According to the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List, Beckham and his wife have a combined wealth of £500 million (equivalent to approximately $671 million).

Beckham has long expressed admiration for the British royal family, branding himself a “devout royalist”. In 2022, Beckham queued for more than 12 hours to pay his respects at the remains of the late Queen Elizabeth II while her body lay in Westminster Hall, declining offers to jump the queue. He also attended the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011 and the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018.